Eric Hovde Campaign Announcement - Photo by Mark Hoffman of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MADISON, WI (WSAU) – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde is speaking out for the first time since his race against incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin was called in her favor last week.
According to a video posted by Hovde on X, his team has been looking into information from precincts in Milwaukee that shows “over 200% turnout,” despite the population of Milwaukee declining and the number of registered voters in the county falling by 26,330 since the 2020 election. He also stated that a crucial ballot count that occurred on Wednesday morning at 4 a.m. went “nearly 99%” in favor of Baldwin and views that as statistically impossible.
Hovde, who has not publicly conceded the election, did not state whether or not his campaign views a recount as a serious option due to the process not examining the ballots themselves only the total number of ballots counted. He hinted at issues his team has with third-party candidates such as “America First” Thomas Leager, in which he cited a report by the Associated Press that stated that Leager was recruited by the state Democratic Party to split the vote enough to help Baldwin secure the victory.
According to the Associated Press, a records examination released in October showed that a Democrat donor named David Steinglass donated the maximum amount allowed of $3,300 to Leager, which helped him qualify to appear on the ballot come election day. The Press’ examination further stated that Steinglass, who has supported numerous Democrats running for office over the years, made similar donations throughout the course of this year to countless other right-leaning third-party candidates in swing states, and other Democrat affiliated groups also contributed to efforts to help Leager get on the Wisconsin ballot, including receiving assistance in gathering signatures from a group that “has done work for Vice President Kamala Harris and Baldwin.”
Unofficial vote counts currently state that Leager received 28,724 votes while Hovde lost to Baldwin by a total of 29,116 votes.
Both Decision Desk HQ and Fox News have stated that Baldwin defeated Hovde by a slim margin to gain reelection to a third term. According to unofficial results reported by the Associated Press, Baldwin defeated Hovde by a margin of 0.9%, or a little under 29,000 votes, and he will have until Tuesday, November 19th, to request a recount.
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